The Supreme Court in Pakistan has implemented the Supreme Court rules 2025, aiming to modernize legal procedures, include digital technology and improve access to justice.
According to an official statement, the new rules have been framed to meet the modern demands of the judiciary.
A committee consists of justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Abbasi prepared the rules.
The committee consulted the Supreme Court judges, Pakistan wore Council, the Supreme Court’s Lawyers ‘Association and other Lawyers’ Associations. Its proposal was submitted to the full court which approved the rules 2025 after consideration.
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Key height points in SC -Rules 2025
The Supreme Court in Pakistan has formally implemented the rules 2025, which replace rules in place since 1980.
Framed Under Article 191 of the Constitution, the new rules came immediate effect after the approval of the full court.
They were prepared by a committee consisting of Justices Shahid Waheed, Irfan Saadat Khan, Naeem Akhter Afghan and Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, after Consultations with Judges, Bar Council and Legal Associations.
The rules in 2025 introduce electronic filing of petitions and paper books, digital issuing of messages and orders, video link hearings and online access to case records.
They also revise legal fees, improve the provisions of legal aid, extend time limits to appeals and reviews and formalize constitutional benches.
Other changes include streamlined procedures for summoning lower legal registrations, provisions for Intra-Court appeals in accordance with Article 184 (2). 3, sanctions for junk litigation and greater powers of the Justice Secretary. Lawyers can now choose between a sherwani or a short black coat, with dresses made optional.
The court described the reforms as a “transformative vision” to provide timely justice, reduce procedural stiffness and integrate modern legal practice.
The full text for the rules is available on the Supreme Court site.
SCBAP denies consultation over court fee increase
The Supreme Court’s Bar Association in Pakistan (SCBAP) on Thursday refused claims from the Supreme Court that it had been heard of the introduction of the Supreme Court’s rules 2025, specifically regarding a significant increase in court fees.
In a statement, SCBAP said that no discussions were held or meetings with its representatives of the revised fee plan and called on the authorities to release the protocol from any meeting showing its participation.
The association also said that it was not aware of any committee set up by the Supreme Court to tackle potential issues derived from the fee increase.
“The drastic increase in court fees will not contribute to affordable and rapid access to justice,” SCBAP said, warning that the move undermined the principle of cheap justice under Article 37 (d) of the Constitution created obstacles to lawyers and litigation and weakened public confidence in the judiciary.
SCBAP confirmed his support for the legal community and the public in opposing the hike and calling for his immediate withdrawal.
